ACE-RT, A Cloud-Based Tool for Remote Radiotherapy Contouring Support in Lower-Resourced Settings: A Pilot Evaluation

Digital learning tools designed to improve radiotherapy contouring skills could help to increase training capacity in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where trainees face barriers to learning such as few clinicians and high workloads. Previous efforts to implement software to remotely review radiotherapy plans in LMICs have faced challenges such as poor internet connectivity and insufficient information technology infrastructure. We developed and evaluated a new cloud-based software to support radiotherapy planning, designed specifically for use in lower-resourced settings.

A cloud-based training software, 'ACE-RT', was co-designed with radiotherapy professionals in Ghana, Zambia and the United Kingdom to facilitate remote feedback on contours and form a portfolio to record a clinician's skill development. The co-development involved assessing bandwidth, user interface, and functionality to meet needs in an LMIC setting. The software is noncommercial, designed for educational use. ACE-RT was evaluated by a radiation oncology consultant and trainee in Indonesia between April and September 2023.

The resident successfully uploaded and received feedback on six plans over the evaluation period. Both consultant and trainee found ACE-RT made it easier to provide and receive tailored feedback compared to their previous practice and that the quality of feedback improved. The trainee reported that the quantity of feedback was greater when using ACE-RT. Both found the portfolio function useful, appreciating the educational value of reviewing previous contours. The main implementation barriers identified were poor internet connectivity and the complexity of exporting files from the treatment planning system.

This evaluation of a cloud-based educational portfolio tool to improve training in radiotherapy contouring found it to be feasible, acceptable, and appropriate for use in a resource-limited setting. Unstable internet connectivity was the main barrier identified. Further work is recommended to improve the software's performance with variable internet speeds and evaluate the implementation in a range of centres.